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Furniture Essentials
Early American
1640-1700
Ornamental carvings, finials, raised panels
and woodturnings were hallmarks of this
period. Most joinery was of the mortise and
tenon variety. Hardwoods and softwoods
utilized were typically pine, cherry, birch,
maple, oak and fruit trees, such as apple.
Colonial
1700-1780
Heavily influenced by pieces from England,
however, American pieces during the Colonial
period tended to be far less ornamental and
more conservative. The dovetail joint began
to make an appearacnce along witht the
carryover mortise and tennon joinery from
the Early American period. Typical finishes
of the Colonial period were often oil varnish,
paint or wax over a stain. Predominant wood
sources utilized during the period were
mahogany, elm and walnut.
Marked by heavy German influences, the
furniture pieces of the Pennsylvania Dutch
period were simple and utilitairian, with
colorful hand-painted scenes. Furniture
from this period features straight lines,
simple turnings, and tapered legs. Common
furniture sources include walnut, oak and
pine.
Federal
1780-1820
The Federal period introduced a variety of
ornamental stylings such as fluting, wooden
inlays, and banding with contrasting veneers
as decorative borders. The pieces of the
Federal period exhibited a graceful elegance
with heavy French and English influence.
harwrdware was commonly brass in a
variety of shapes found in nature.
Sheraton
1780-1820
The Sheraton Period was the most widely-
reproduced style of the early 1800’s. The
period was named after the Engligh designer
Thomas Sheraton, and relied heavily on
veneers and rich upholstery. Carvings
were minimal durign this period, however,
intricate brass hardware caught the eye.
Dovetail joints were a major hallmark of this
period.
American Empire
1800-1840
The American Empire Period took heavy
influence from the French, with a greater
emphasis on curved arms, cabriole legs and
ornate, paw or claw feet. Hallmarks of the
American Empire Period included supporting
columns on the corners of dressers and glass
in place of raised panels.
Pennsylvania
Dutch
1720-1830